Latch bolt for towing poles



Aug. 24, 1948. E.,c. cHRlsTENsl-:N

LATCH BOLT FOR TOWING POLES Filed NOV. 22, 1946 @NK QN Patented Aug. 24, 1948 LATCH BOLT FOR TOWING POLES j EdwardCarl Christensen,Denmark, Wis. Application November 22, 1946, `Serial No. 711,549

3 Claims. l

This invention relates to adjustable towing poles of the type disclosed by my Letters Patent No. 2,409,662, and has for its object the provision of a new and improved `form and arrangement of .parts by the use of which improved results may be had. It is one ofthe objects of the invention to provide improved latching means for holding the parts in their operativeadjusted position,` and-improved means for locking the parts strongly together in such position for an effective application of power therethrough.

It is another object of the invention to improve devices of 'this typein sundry details hereinafter .pointed out. The preferred means by which I have accomplished my several objects are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in

which Figure-1 is a central, vertical, sectionalviewv through my improved mechanism; v

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the portionof the device shown atthe left in Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially at the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the several figures of the drawing, in which corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference characters, I0, II and I2 indicate telescopically mounted` tubes having shoulder portions I3 thereon, adapted by engagement with each other to limit the movement of the several tubes into their extended position with respect to each other toward the left in Figure 1. In the arrangement shown, the innermost tube I2 is connected by a pin I4 with a suitable hitch portion I5 of a tractor.

In the construction as illustrated, the outermost tube I0 is designed to be connected with a suitable traction member of a vehicle to be drawn, by means of a bolt I1, as shown at the right in Figure 1. For reinforcing and strengthening the construction, two pairs of plates I8 are secured in transverse position at the top and the bottom faces of said tube I0 by being welded in position. Channel bars I9 are secured in position between the end portions of the plates at opposite sides of the tube by means oi bolts 20. The bolt I'I extends through suitable openings in the channel bars as well as through the walls of the pipe IIl and through the traction membervl6.

Means is provided for latching the tubes II), II and I2 in their shortened condition as shown in Figure 1, comprising a. yoke 2I pivotally mounted on the innermost tube I2 by means of a bolt 22 which is non-rotatably connected with the arms of the yoke. A coiled spring 23 connected with the bolt and bearing on the (Cl. ZBO-$3.14)

wan of said tube I2 serves yieldingly to resist movement of the latch outwardly away from the end porv tion of the tube I0, serving thus normally to hold the latch releasably in operative engagement with a latch lug 24 on the outer face of such tube I0. The arrangement is such that, when the tubes II and I2 are moved toward the right in Figure 1 from extended position into retracted position as shown, the latch `2`I rides up the inclined face of the lug 24, so as to snap into latching position for preventing the tubes frommoving again to extendedposition A cord 25 fcon-. nected with the latch yoke 2| enables the opera' tor readily to release the yoke from the lug 244 from his position on the tractor` whenever it be desired.

For lockingthetube members I0, II and-"i2 rigidly inoperative retracted position forv preventing movement of one with respect `to "the others, I have provided a bolt 26 slidably'mountedin a socket in a bracket 21 welded in position on the outer face of the tube I0. The bolt is normally held in operative holding position in openings in the walls of the tube by means of a coiled spring 28 mounted on the bolt between the bracket and a pin 29 carried by the bolt. With the bolt 26 in holding position as shown in Figure 1, power can be applied to advantage through the tube either backwardly or forwardly between the tractor and the vehicle.

Attention is directed to the use of bolt 26. This bolt 26 is carried by a bracket 21 attached at one end to the telescopic tube I0 and is equipped with an expansion coil spring 28 which bears against a pin 29 protruding from the side of the. bolt 26, as shown. In attaching a vehicle to a tractor great care must be exercised lest injury to person or equipment is quite likely to result. By raising the pin 26 suiciently the tubes I I and I2 are free to slide outwardly extending the pole lengthwise. With the towing pole in extended position and connected to the Vehicle to be towed a much greater leverage is afforded for swinging the pole into alignment for coupling to the tractor. After the towing pole is connected to the tractor by the pin I4 the tractor may be moved rearwardly until the yoke 2I engages the latch lug placing the bolt 26 in engagement with tubes II and I2 by the action of the spring 28, as will be readily understood. In disconnecting the towing pole from the tractor the bolt 26 with the aid of an assistant lifting the bolt 26 and allowing the tractor to move forwardly a short distance to free the bolt I4. The operator of the tractor may then use the rope 25 after the bolt I4 has been removed to free the yoke 2| from the latch lug 24 without endangering the assistant or the equipment.

While I prefer to employ the form and arrangement of parts as shown by the drawing and as above described, the invention is not to be limited thereto except so far as the same may be specifically claimed, it being understood that changes might Well be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a device of the type described, the combination of a plurality of telescopically interfltted tubular members, means for connecting the innermost one of said tubular members with a tractor, stop means for limiting the extension movement of said members with respect to each other,V and means :for connecting the outermost oneof said tubular members with a vehicletob'e drawm vcomprising channel `barsembracing said ontermostY tubular member at oppositesides thereof', transversely extending plates engaging theopposite face portionso'f said outermost tubuu lar member between the ange portions of said channelA bars, and `bolts connecting said plates withl said channel. bars, with the arrangement such thatL when said last named' bolts are tig-htcnedI s aidj plates have a tight grip onsaid t-,ubu-lar member- 2 In a device of,` the type described, the combination, of a, pluralityof telescopically interiltedytubular members, means` f 'or connecting the innermost, one of said tubular members with a tractor, stop means for limiting the extension movement ot; said. memberswithrespect to each other, and, means for. 1011:meeting:Y the. outermost oneoi, saidtubularmembers with a vehicle to be drawn,v comprising channel; bars embracing said outermost tubular member at opposite sides thereof, transversely extending plates engaging the opposite face portions of said outermost tubular member between the flange portions of said channel bars, small bolts connecting said plates with said channel bars, with the arrangement such that when said last mentioned bolts are tightened said plates have a tight grip on said outermost tubular member, and means comprising 'a large bolt extending through said chann nel bars and through said tubular member for connecting the parts strongly in xed position with respect to each other.

3. In a device of the type described, the combination of a plurality of telescopcally intertting tubular members, means for connecting the innermost one oi said tubular members with a tractor, stop means for limiting the extension movement of said members with respect to each other, and means for connecting the outermost one of said tubular ln'iernbers, with ra vehicle to be drawn, comprising channely ba-rs embracing said outermost tubular member at opposite sidf'esf thereof, transversely extending plateswcl-d'ed tof said outermost tubular member between the ange portionsof' said channel bars, bolts-conn4 necting said plates rigidly with saidchannelbars, and a largebolt extending througlil` said ychanneli bars andthrough saidE tubularl 'member foreffectingA a connection' with a vehicleto` be drafwn.

REFERENCES: cruzan UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name n Date 2,415,478 Forney Feb. 11, i947 Hallner Mar. 18;,194'7 

